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Vet's view: Animal hospitals aren't created equal when it comes to cats
September 3, 2010
Vet's view: Animal hospitals aren't created equal when it comes to cats
By Patty Khuly Special for USA TODAY
Did you know that not all veterinary hospitals are created equal when it comes to treating cats? Some approach felines with a mentality that suggests they're more like small dogs than a separate species with its own unique needs.
For example: Some hospitals will systematically handle cats roughly, their staff will blithely place cat-occupied carriers alongside caged barking dogs, or maybe they'll hospitalize them in full view of slathering canine predators.
Cats often leave hospitals like these completely rattled and traumatized. It's no wonder each subsequent vet visit seems to take more out of them than the time before. When some cats don't recover well after surgery or hospitalization, it's no stretch to suggest that sometimes it stems from a dearth of feline sensitivity.
Beyond the high-stakes stress, some hospitals simply fail to keep up with issues inherent to feline medicine (vaccine protocols, low-stress handling techniques, diabetes management, etc.). Yes, it's true: Cats often get short shrift when it comes to research dollars and veterinary care.
That's partly because studies show pet owners are more likely to spend their hard-earned dollars on dogs over cats — by about two to one. Some veterinarians argue it's hard to get deeply involved with a case when you know a client is likely to nix their cat's proposed treatment based on the fact that "it's just a cat."
But it's also because cats can be tougher to work with. It's my opinion that felines require a little more patience — as do their owners. After all, cat people can be a little quirky ... not that I mind, full of my own quirks as I am.
Moreover, some practices are just not set up to handle cats as well as they handle dogs. Barking, in particular, is a huge stressor for cats. And that can be rough for kitties whose vet visits take place across a thin wall from a room loaded with boarding dogs. Which is why cat-only hospitals exist.
Yes, some cats are better off going to a cat-only hospital instead of a combined affair. Not only are feline practitioners, on average, more likely to be up-to-date on issues like vaccine protocols and cat-specific approaches to medicine and handling, but the atmosphere is typically serene compared to canine/feline facilities.
Problem is, these practices are not always available. Nor should you assume that feline-exclusive veterinary practices are always the right choice.
For starters, it's tough to take your dog to one place and your cat to another. It's hard to build multiple relationships with professionals when finding a vet is already such a difficult prospect. And many times, dog-and-cat places do manage to offer an ecumenical approach to canine and feline medicine along with plenty of concessions to feline stress.
So let's get back to the issue of how many cat-only practices are available in any given municipality. In most major metropolitan inner cities there's often a wealth of opportunities to sample, and a variety of feline practitioners to select from, whereas in places like Miami (for instance), there are only a couple to choose from.
The chances that they're far from you is probably quite high — not exactly the best approach during a serious emergency or possible emergency.
Nonetheless, it might be worth your while to give your cat(s) the opportunity to experience one of these places. If your cat seems inordinately stressed at the vet's, or is acting out aggressively at your average cat-dog hospital, and especially if you're looking for a veterinarian with cat-specific skills, you might want to give this tack a try.
But that's not to say your own vet can't be persuaded to use another room (if the barking is louder in one than another), or that you shouldn't ask for an appointment at a low-traffic time. And, as I mentioned earlier, it's not even a given that every dog and cat hospital will be noisy and/or cat-phobic/cat-unfriendly.
Still, it's important that you investigate every opportunity to have your feline cared for in the manner you believe she deserves. If that means seeking out a cat hospital, vets like me agree: As much as we like treating cats and would mourn your loss as a client, we want your cat to get the best care possible for his/her needs.
Iams Recalls Renal Dry Cat Food
July 26, 2010
Iams recalls Renal Dry cat food
Cat Owners: Beware of Easter Lilies!
April 2, 2010
The doctors and staff at Cat Care Clinic want all cat owners to be
aware that Easter Lilies are toxic to cats. Ingesting even a small
portion of the leaves, stem or flower of the plants can cause kidney
failure and potentially death.
Purrrrfect Photos
March 1, 2010
The staff at the Cat Care Clinic wanted to extend a big holiday THANK YOU to all of our Holiday Photo Contest entries. All of the pictures were wonderful and festive and we had an extremely hard time voting for our favorites.
Our First Place winners were Mia and Joel Croyle with their adorable felines Zooey, Flower and Birdie! They were expertly lured around the Christmas tree with their favorite Cat Catcher toy and favorite catnip treat! They won 3 bags of Royal
Canin prescription diet!!
Our Second Place winner was ready to come down the chimney and put some catnip or cat-coal in our stockings! Stinky was dressed to purrfection in her Santa suit. Thanks Alecia Torres for making us all dream of Stinky, sugar plums and fairies! She won the best grooming tool out their…the Furminator!!
Our Third Place winner, Chloe, was trying to be the best cat spy ever by blending in with her best friend the Nutcracker. She was spying on her mom, Beverly Dahl, to see if she was hiding her Holiday treats! Those treats were a bag of Greenies that she won by posing to purrfection!
Congratulations to our Winter Newsletter Holiday Photo Contest Winners!
Click here to view the contest photos!
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